World Factbook

Singapore

Republic of Singapore

Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)

Flag

description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; a vertical white crescent is on the left side of the red band, with a circle of five five-pointed white stars to the right of the crescent meaning: red stands for brotherhood and equality, and white for purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the stars represent the national ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality

Capital

name

Singapore

etymology

name derives from the Sanskrit words simha (lion) and pur (city); according to Malayan folklore, an Indian prince visited Singapore in the 7th century and mistook the first animal he saw for a lion, which is not native to the country

time difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

1 17 N, 103 51 E

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore

dual citizenship recognized

residency requirement for naturalization

10 years

Constitution

history

several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965

amendment process

proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote in the second and third readings by the elected Parliament membership and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting sovereignty or control of the Police Force or the Armed Forces requires at least two-thirds majority vote in a referendum

Country name

etymology

local long form

Republic of Singapore

local short form

Singapore

conventional long form

Republic of Singapore

conventional short form

Singapore

Independence

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

Legal system

English common law

Government type

parliamentary republic

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (number of judges varies but includes judicial commissioners, judges of appeal, and international judges); the court is organized into an upper-tier Appeal Court and a lower-tier High Court

subordinate courts

district, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals; employment claims tribunals

judge selection and term of office

judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; judges usually serve until retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; responsible to Parliament

chief of state

President THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (since 14 September 2023)

election results

2023: THARMAN Shanmugaratnam elected president; percent of vote - THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (independent) 70.4%, NG Kok Song (independent) 15.7%, TAN Kin Lian (independent) 13.9% 2017 : HALIMAH Yacob declared president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible candidate

head of government

Prime Minister Lawrence WONG (since 15 May 2024)

most recent election date

1 September 2023

election/appointment process

president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 6-year term (no term limits); following legislative elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime ministers also appointed by the president

expected date of next election

2029

National holiday

National Day, 9 August (1965)

National color(s)

red, white

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites

1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Political parties

People's Action Party or PAP Workers' Party or WPS there are 13 additional active political parties in Singapore

note: the PAP has won every general election since the end of the British colonial era in 1959

Legislative branch

term in office

5 years

number of seats

108 (97 directly elected; 9 appointed)

electoral system

plurality/majority

legislature name

Parliament

scope of elections

full renewal

legislative structure

unicameral

most recent election date

5/3/2025

expected date of next election

May 2030

percentage of women in chamber

32.3%

parties elected and seats per party

People's Action Party (PAP) (87); Workers' Party (WPS) (12)

National anthem(s)

title

"Majulah Singapura" (Onward, Singapore)

history

adopted 1959; the anthem is sung only in Malay; first four lines of the melody are used as a presidential salute

lyrics/music

Zubir SAID

National symbol(s)

lion, merlion (mythical half-lion, half-fish creature), orchid

Administrative divisions

no first-order administrative divisions; five community development councils: Central Singapore Development Council, North East Development Council, North West Development Council, South East Development Council, South West Development Council (2019)

Diplomatic representation in the US

FAX

[1] (202) 537-0876

chancery

3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone

[1] (202) 537-3100

consulate(s)

New York

chief of mission

Ambassador LUI Tuck Yew (since 30 June 2023)

consulate(s) general

San Francisco

email address and website

singemb_was@mfa.sg https://www.mfa.gov.sg/washington/

Diplomatic representation from the US

FAX

[65] 6476-9340

embassy

27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508

telephone

[65] 6476-9100

mailing address

4280 Singapore Place, Washington DC  20521-4280

chief of mission

Ambassador Anjani K. SINHA (since 17 November 2025)

email address and website

singaporeusembassy@state.gov https://sg.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ADB, AOSIS, APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNOOSA, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt